Resistance Training

Calling all water protectors, pipeline resisters, and forest and homeland defenders! Join POWHR-Protect Our Water Heritage Rights and Preserve Giles County, POWHR member groups, and friends for a day-long training exploring nonviolent direct action: what it is, how it’s done, and where it fits in a campaign.

UPDATE 2/24: Online Registration is Closed. Registration at the event on Saturday is limited to first-come, first-served at 9:30 AM.

UPDATE: Start time changed to 10:00 AM to allow for more travel time for participants! Arrive early to meet and greet. Bring snacks.

The last two and a half years have been a nonstop whirlwind of research, meeting neighbors, route scouting, organizing, public commenting, and spreading the word. Many people have done much hard work, but we’re not done yet.

Now, as we wait for the final Environmental Impact Statement to be released for the MVP, and for FERC to give its ruling on the project, it is the time to gather ourselves and think about what comes next. This struggle is far from over, but we have to continue to learn and grow in our resistance. New tactics bring new energy!

Nonviolent direct action [NVDA] is a set of tactics that has been integral to social change movements throughout history. Like any other tactic, it is only as effective as the strategy behind it. This training will cover the history, theory, mechanics, and practice of NVDA in the context of the fight against the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The training is open to any and all interested in discovering what is meant by direct action and how it might be used strategically in the campaign against the MVP. We welcome people of all experience levels, cultural backgrounds, gender and racial identities, and income levels. Our strength will be in our diversity!

The only thing you need to bring is an open mind, a spirit of resistance, a bag lunch and a pen/pencil. We will provide handouts as well as links to more resources for further reading, and a simple supper at the end of the day.

The goal of the training is to provide attendees with the knowledge and understanding to participate in a coordinated but organic opposition on the regional level.

Sponsored by POWHR-Protect Our Water Heritage Rights and Preserve Giles County. The training will be led by erin mckelvy, Kim Kirkbride, and Lara Mack. All three trainers have been part of many environmental and social justice campaigns in Appalachia and beyond, and bring experience in campaign strategy, coalitions, and creative action.